Byrne raised concerns over internal penalty points inquiry

Shane Phelan Public Affairs Editor

ROAD Safety Authority chairman Gay Byrne raised concerns about the internal investigation into alleged abuse of the penalty points system after it became clear garda whistleblowers were not interviewed as part of the inquiry.

ROAD Safety Authority chairman Gay Byrne raised concerns about the internal investigation into alleged abuse of the penalty points system after it became clear garda whistleblowers were not interviewed as part of the inquiry.

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Byrne raised concerns over internal penalty points inquiry

Independent.ie

ROAD Safety Authority chairman Gay Byrne raised concerns about the internal investigation into alleged abuse of the penalty points system after it became clear garda whistleblowers were not interviewed as part of the inquiry.

The broadcaster wrote to the Department of Transport last year with a number of suggestions after the authority's board considered a copy of the report compiled by Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahoney.

Mr O'Mahoney did not interview either of the whistleblowers, Sgt Maurice McCabe or retired garda John Wilson, as part of his review of their allegations.

His report did not find any evidence to substantiate some of the more serious allegations made. It also found no evidence to suggest any criminality in the cancellation of fixed charge penalty notices.

In a letter dated May 31 last year, Mr Byrne requested that the allegations examined by Mr O'Mahoney be forwarded to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) so that a public interest investigation could be undertaken. The letter also stated that the whistleblowers should be consulted as part of such an investigation.

Around the same time, Mr O'Mahoney's report was referred to GSOC by the Oireachtas Committee on Public Service and Oversight.

However, GSOC decided not to investigate further.

GSOC launched an inquiry when asked to investigate the penalty points controversy by Justice Minister Alan Shatter last month.